eureka

Everyday

1. «Eureka!» is a cry of joy when you suddenly discover or work out something. tree →
2. (noun, as «eureka moment») A eureka moment is the instant when you suddenly understand something or have a great idea. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, the story goes that the Greek scientist Archimedes shouted «Eureka!» («I have found it!») in his bath when he realised how to measure the volume of a crown by the water it pushed out. In everyday life and stories, «eureka» marks a sudden discovery. Common phrases: «eureka moment», «shout eureka», «a eureka!».

Examples

• «Eureka!» shouted Sam when he finally found the missing puzzle piece. tree →
• Archimedes is said to have cried «Eureka!» in his bath. tree →
• I had a eureka moment when the fractions finally made sense. tree →
• Scientists sometimes have eureka moments, but most discoveries take years of work. tree →
• California's state motto is «Eureka». tree →
• The detective's eureka moment came when she saw the muddy boots. tree →
• We all said «eureka» when the experiment worked. tree →

Note

Say yoo-REE-kuh. It is a Greek word meaning «I have found it». Use «a eureka moment» (not «an»), because it starts with a «yoo» sound. The bath story about Archimedes may be a legend, but the science of displacement is real.